Black Creek vs Explorer

Black Creek and other La Rive fragrances offer decent value as affordable clones of popular designer scents, making them accessible for those with limited budgets. However, the community notes a detectable cheapness in quality and an off-putting sharp opening, though opinions remain respectful of their use as budget alternatives.

The r/fragrance community views Montblanc Explorer as a solid, affordable alternative that shares the fresh citrus DNA of Aventus but is distinctly different, particularly in the drydown. While praised for value, consistency, and wearability, it's criticized for being overly linear and ambroxan-heavy compared to Aventus's complexity, making it a good standalone fragrance rather than a true clone.